Ceremony to mark completion of El Toro High stadium project

Oct. 16, 2013

Updated Oct. 17, 2013 8:57 p.m.

1 of 1

In this Register file photo from September, El Toro receiver Dominic Collins leaps to catch a pass for a touchdown during a football game against Corona del Mar, held at Trabuco Hills High School. CHRISTINE COTTER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In this Register file photo from September, El Toro receiver Dominic Collins leaps to catch a pass for a touchdown during a football game against Corona del Mar, held at Trabuco Hills High School. CHRISTINE COTTER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAKE FOREST – Though football season has been underway since late August, not one of El Toro High School’s games have taken place at its home field.

On Oct. 25, the varsity team will for the first time take on cross-town rival Trabuco Hill High School under the lights at the El Toro High’s recently upgraded stadium.

Construction is nearly complete on the facility, which has been closed since April for the installation of new bleachers, field lights, a scoreboard and a building with space for concession sales, a ticket booth and restrooms.

A ribbon cutting to mark the stadium’s reopening is scheduled to take place on the field at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25. The game starts at 7 p.m.

The $5.79 million project was intended to bring the facility on par with those at high schools in neighboring cities. The stadium is now expected to be used for nighttime sports and large school events, such as graduation.

It will lessen the amount of time El Toro teams spend on other schools’ fields. Athletes have been competing and practicing for years at other schools because the Lake Forest campus could not accommodate nighttime play.

The improvements are being paid for with redevelopment agency funds, which come from property taxes distributed to cities and schools.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.